Posted by NoMotic on December 19, 2003, at 15:44:02
Here's something that boggles my mind. One of the most consistant findings in depression is that cortisol levels are abnormally raised throughout the day. This is one of the few biochemical markers that has been consistant across the board.
Then there's caffeine + ephedrine - both of which can raise cortisol levels by like 200-300%, with the amount that most people take in one day.
What I want to know, is this: Rather than developing effective, side effect free anti-cortisol medications like they've been working on, why have they not double blind studied the effects of complete caffeine elimination on depression??? Or have they and I just don't know about it?? I don't get it.
It only makes sense to figure out things that raise cortisol and try to reduce them and see how it works out in a study. Getting enough sleep every night also lowers cortisol, I can't see why that hasn't been studied, either.
But then again, what money does that make for pharmaceutical companies who would rather benefit from a new medication? None. It's a shame preventative medicine does not dominate our health system as it should.
poster:NoMotic
thread:291677
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031218/msgs/291677.html